Afghanistan Vs Papua New Guinea, T20 World Cup Highlights: AFG Zoom Into Super Eight; NZ Knocked Out

Welcome to the highlights of our coverage of match 29 of ICC T20 World Cup 2024, played between Afghanistan and Papua New Guinea at the Brian Lara Academy in Tarouba, Trinidad (West Indies) on Friday, June 14. Afghanistan carved out a seven-wicket win over PNG. The victory guaranteed Afghanistan a place in the Super 8s, and also knocked New Zealand out of the competition. Led by Fazalhaq Farooqi (3-16 in four overs), the Afghan bowling attack shot out PNG for a modest 95-run total. Gulbadin Naib (49 not out off 36) then guided the team past the target, despite early hiccups. Catch the highlights of the AFG vs PNG match, right here. (Scorecard | Full Coverage)

Afghanistan: Rashid Khan (c), Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Ibrahim Zadran, Azmatullah Omarzai, Najibullah Zadran, Mohammad Ishaq, Mohammad Nabi, Gulbadin Naib, Karim Janat, Nangyal Kharoti, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Noor Ahmad, Naveen-ul-Haq, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Fareed Ahmad Malik.

Papua New Guinea: Assadollah Vala (c), Alei Nao, Chad Soper, CJ Amini, Hila Vare, Hiri Hiri, Jack Gardner, John Kariko, Kabua Vagi Morea, Kipling Doriga, Lega Siaka, Norman Vanua, Sema Kamea, Sese Bau, Tony Ura.

Afghanistan and Papua New Guinea have met each other just once before in T20Is, back in 2015, with the former winning that match by six wickets.

No rain is predicted, though partly cloudy conditions are expected to prevail in Tarouba. The weather will be pleasant, with temperatures likely to be in the late 20s (degree Celsius).

Afghanistan captain Rashid Khan has won the toss and decided to bowl first against Papua New Guinea.

Playing XIs

Afghanistan: Rahmanullah Gurbaz (WK), Ibrahim Zadran, Gulbadin Naib, Azmatullah Omarzai, Mohammad Nabi, Najibullah Zadran, Karim Janat, Rashid Khan (C), Noor Ahmad, Naveen-ul-Haq, Fazalhaq Farooqi.

Papua New Guinea: Tony Ura, Assad Vala (C), Lega Siaka, Sese Bau, Hiri Hiri, Chad Soper, Kipling Doriga (WK), Norman Vanua, Alei Nao, John Kariko, Semo Kamea.

Rashid Khan: "We want to bowl first, the dew could be a factor later on, but we'll have to do the basics well and the mindset is to chase. We had a good break of six days, it gave us time to recover fully for this match. We aren't thinking about Super Eights as yet, each game is very important and we're taking this game seriously. No changes for us."

Assad Vala: "We would have bowled as well, but the batters will need to set the tone for us. We had a few days off and we're well rested. We have played well and will look to do the same against Afghanistan tonight. One change based on conditions - Charles Amini misses out."

The umpires and both sets of teams are striding out to the middle for the national anthems. A relatively sparse crowd today as compared to yesterday at the same venue, when co-hosts West Indies were in action.

In-form Afghan seamer Fazalhaq Farooqi has the ball in hand for the first over. PNG openers Tony Ura and Assad Vala facing up. Farooqi begins with tight, testing lines and concedes just three runs off his over.

Fazalhaq Farooqi and Naveen-ul-Haq have utterly dismantled the Papua New Guinea top-order. PNG skipper Assad Vala falls to an elementary error of not grounding his bat at the non-striker's end, and Farooqi then takes charge with back-to-back wickets. PNG are four down with just 24 runs on the board in the fifth over.

Naveen-ul-Haq picks up his second wicket (Tony Ura) to dismiss half the PNG batting order inside the powerplay. AFG captain Rashid Khan brings himself on alongside fellow wrist spinner Noor Ahmad to tighten the noose.

After their captain Assav Vala was run out due to an elementary mistake (not grounding his bat in the crease), PNG have lost another batter to dodgy running between the wickets. Chad Soper is run out by a long way after a horrible mix-up with Kiplin Doriga, and Papua New Guinea are now six down at the halfway stage of their innings.

As if two misjudgements in running between the wickets wasn't enough, PNG suffer a third run-out, albeit an unlucky one. Norman Vanua's bat unfortunately got stuck just outside the non-striker's crease, and has to walk back to the dugout.

Amid all the carnage, Kiplin Doriga mounted some resistance and scored 27 runs off 32 balls. But he too perishes to the guile of Afghanistan bowling, trapped in front by Noor Ahmad in the 18th over.

Papua New Guinea are dismissed for 95 runs. And just like the innings began, it ends with a run-out - the fourth overall in PNG's essay. Fazalhaq Farooqi ends with three wickets, giving away just 16 runs off his four overs.

The Afghanistan innings gets underway. Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran at the crease, looking to polish off a major chunk of the target in the powerplay itself. They are aided by a poor fielding attempt from PNG, which results in five overthrows.

For a change, the Afghan opening duo of Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran fails to fire. Both batters depart inside the first three overs as Papua New Guinea show some spunk with the ball. Game on, though still early days to start entertaining thoughts of an upset.

Afghanistan's top-order batters Azmatullah Omarzai and Gulbadin Naib are settling things down after the early jolt. Gulbadin benefits from a dropped chance, but since then it has been smooth sailing for the duo. Just 41 more runs needed now with over 11 overs to go.

Azmatullah Omarzai has been dismissed, but the experienced Mohammad Nabi has joined Gulbadin Naib at the crease and Afghanistan now need just 30 more runs for a hard-fought victory.

Gulbadin Naib (49 not out off 36 balls) finishes it off in style, smashing a six to take Afghanistan home. Rashid Khan and Co win by seven wickets, and seal their Super Eight berth. With that, New Zealand are knocked out of the T20 World Cup.

Fazalhaq Farooqi is the Player Of The Match for his three-wicket haul that helped Afghanistan bowl PNG out for 95. Here's what he said after his team's win:

"I want to congratulate the entire team because we have now officially qualified (for the Super Eight). I feel proud. Before the warm-up match, I was in the IPL. I did not get any chances there unfortunately. I played just one warm-up game. I know how to carry my body and I just tried to keep it simple. I try to get some wickets if there is some movement or swing. If there is nothing, then I try to go to plan B, not go for boundaries and keep it simple. We have to give our 100% and we will try our best to do it in the last match as well. (On Rashid trying to interrupt him during this interview) He is trying to make me laugh but I am not laughing."

Assad Vala: "They are a really good bowling team and to give them four easy wickets with four run-outs, especially my run-out, that was a bit lazy. (On assessing the conditions) It has been challenging for every team. We spoke about trying to give ourselves a chance and then launch at the end, something we learnt from Sherfane Rutherford the other day. We could not execute unfortunately but they bowled well too. I am really happy with the way the bowlers have been going. We have not put up enough runs for them to defend. The execution of their skills and their planning has been really good. Ale has been good with the new ball, Kamea bowled beautifully. We created a few opportunities but we could not hold on. It is a challenge, getting the exposure against quality quick bowlers. We do not face these bowlers in Associate cricket."

Rashid Khan: "Feeling great to qualify for the next round. First time for Afghanistan being in Super Eight in T20Is. The boys have done well, adjusting to the conditions very quickly and that is something very pleasing for me. It is very important to have someone like him (Fazalhaq Farooqi), and it helps you later as well if you get a couple of wickets. The more you attack when there is help for you, the better it is for you. Even if the batter is attacking, you have to attack as well. We are lucky to have him in our side. (On Afghanistan's middle order) We are happy the way the openers played in the first two games. But middle order is all in form and they just need more time. Sometimes, it is hard in T20s when you have just 15-18 balls. It is hard to hit from ball one in these conditions. In the domestic competition, they were also scoring runs. If they get more opportunities, they will perform and give their best for the team.

"(On now travelling to St. Lucia) That is the beauty of playing franchise cricket, you have an idea about the wicket. Most of the guys, like Nabi, Gurbaz played in St. Lucia and we have to share that experience with the guys who have not played much (there). It is about playing your natural cricket in those conditions. We will not change our brand of cricket, and it is about how we will play that brand in those conditions. Everyone has that ability to adjust to the conditions quickly and hopefully we will have a good game there as well."

With that, our coverage of the AFG vs PNG clash comes to an end. We will be back with live updates from all the forthcoming T20 World Cup games. Until then, goodbye.